I hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2017 will be a better year. It may start out shaky, but hopefully everything will turn out alright. :)

<3 :)

More sad news from the Southern Resident orcas. Granny (J2) is now dead.

Researchers: Killer whale Granny considered dead - Story

So, I just watched a video about how online friends are real friends, and just wanted to say that I'm glad we have this message board to talk to you guys.

Hmm, I am not so sure. As splendid as my online pals are, I do miss the connection that comes from standing in front of and actually being able to see the person while you speak to them. I suppose there is Skype, but even then, it isn't quite the same.

The way I see it, he's not a real friend until he has bought you a drink and she's not a real friend until you have bought her a drink.

Well, it's better than the alternative which is not having any friends that are into the same obscure things as you (or accept you for who you are). I've also found that when I finally meet online friends IRL I immediately have common ground to talk about, and it makes it easier to form a connection.

Of course we're real friends and I want to thank you and everyone else here for being my friend. The true measure of an online friend is how far outside of the online world you take your online friends or do we exist to each other only when we're here? How long after you leave a forum or a game do you remember the people you interacted with? The people I meet online mean something to me and I never forget anyone.

When I first started playing Unreal Tournament back in 1999 the first player I became friends with was a guy from London England. His screen name was Xplosive, but his real name was Carlos Hamilton. I haven't talked to him for nearly 20 years, but I can still remember that his mom had a terrible drinking problem and they were struggling to get by. He was doing the best he could to help his mom out since his dad wasn't around.

I listen to what you all say and I remember it. Even if I don't respond to everything or comment I still take note of any hardships and changes any of you go through. Just because we're friends in an online world doesn't make it any less real. It doesn't mean there's no impact to be made or felt.

With you Moonbeam I helped you get your dragon collection started. Of my own free will and on my own time I searched for solutions to your issue of not being able to get a dragon to live. I made sure that I found some kind of solution when you captured a Moonstone Dragon and you said you really wanted that one. So I made sure that's the first one you got to keep. Seeing how excited you got was enough for me. I've done similar things with other members here. I think that makes me a true friend. Even though I'm not always around. I haven't been as active here in recent weeks because I've recently started something on the side where I'm making new friends, but I never forget the old ones I've made along the way.

With this new thing I'm doing (as always) I'm doing it to help someone. I'm helping a group of people keep their little online community alive by moving them from a restrictive platform to a better one. They all seem very excited that this transition has opened up more possibilities. I don't have to do it, but I enjoy helping them.

:)

I believe they have online services that allow you to send someone a drink in the mail. :D

I don't have any friends in my everyday life and I would agree that having online friends is better than the alternative. :)

well, i definitely think you're a friend, Enigma, as well as many others i've interacted with online, both in the Avatar realm, my Steelers crazies, several other film forums i have been with for years, and an antique cars forum i joined several years back, as my 287, 222 mile 1991 Toyota Celica GT is officially an antique vehicle according to my resident state of Virginia. online friends are cool! :):party:


i would love to get a drink in the mail! :D *Crown Royal Black Label, three fingers and Coca-Cola please*

Thank you so much, Eternal Enigma. You're an amazing person!

Hmm, I hope my post was not interpreted as harsh or ungrateful. I merely wanted to say that while I always enjoy the company of everybody I interact with here and am happier for it, I often find myself wishing there wasn't a screen and several hundred miles (at least) seperating us. It's a strange one really, we are friends, but the presence of a screen makes it feel less like a proper friendship, even if it shouldn't.

Anyway, excellent post Eternal, and thanks to everybody for being such splendid chaps!

Thanks! I feel the same about you, Ja’k. :)

You're welcome and thanks! You are too! :)

Not at all and I completely understand where you're coming from. Thanks! I try to be at least 20% cooler these days. ;)

http://img07.deviantart.net/d920/i/2...rr-d54zpmf.png

Then God bless you sir! Oh what it must be to be cool, will I ever find out. :xD:

Random post of the day: I love gnomes, and they give me joy.

Avatar Forums
Just thought i'd share this "delightful" post from a fellow avatar fan :gembarrassed

*warning: if hardcore fan, read with caution* :P

I confess, this made me laugh. Especially the comic at the end. There were certainly some passionate people about at that time, a few unhinged I'm sure, but it was harmless.